JOINT-HEIRS

JOINT-HEIRS

“The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we

are the children of God.  And if children, then heirs;

heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that

we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

(Romans 8:16-17)

Imagine that your Father is very wealthy.  He shares with you His wisdom and gives you good advice. But instead of listening to and following His advice you want to do things ‘your way.’   In fact, your father has many large fields and he needs His children to help in the fields.  Rather then working for your Father, you want to spend your time ‘enjoying the good life’ feeling assured that at the end of the day, your reward is waiting, your inheritance secured.

This is how many believers are living today.  They are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; they feel their inheritance is secure as it has been secured for them through the shed blood of Jesus, so they are now ‘doing things their way’.  A recently retired brother-in-Christ told us, “I am going to do things now that I did not have the opportunity to do while I was working.  Enjoying life!”  This joint-heir with Christ wants to ‘feed his flesh’ instead of his ‘spirit’ and for sure, does not want to assist his Heavenly Father by working in the Harvest Fields. 

Have you ever stopped to think about what the status of a joint-heir means?  Everything that God made through Jesus Christ, the entire universe and everything it contains you will inherit.  Everything! 

We should never undervalue who we are in-Christ.  If we do, we will not have the right attitude or realization of our responsibility as joint-heirs.  Yeshua – the Passover Lamb who has given you all you need to walk holy before your God; has also given you the highest honor of being adopted into the Family of God.  You have a royal inheritance waiting!  The ruler of the Universe has granted you pardon and made you accepted in-the-beloved.  You have been blessed beyond your wildest imagination; yet, some of you still shun the work that your Heavenly Father is asking you to do.  Because you want to ‘feed your flesh’.  Doesn’t this sound like a spoiled child?  

Even now, you are the ‘apple of God’s eye’ the focus of His attention.  His Son died a horrendous death on your behalf.  He died so that you would be brought Home to your Heavenly Father and to enjoy the fruits of being a joint-heir.  The harvest fields are white, God’s children filled with His Spirit are the laborers.  Yet, some of His children ignore the requests of their Heavenly Father to go into the fields.  They take their inheritance for granted.    

Your life on earth is but a vapour (James 4:14).  We are only here for a short time and the use of that time should be spent doing our Heavenly Father’s will.  Hear the words of our Lord Jesus Christ:  “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul” (Mark 8:36).  Are we about our Father’s business or are we not?

Selah.

IN PERFECT PEACE

IN PERFECT PEACE

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,

whose mind is stayed on Thee:

because he trusts in Thee.” (Isaiah 26:3)

Such beautiful words which should calm our souls in the storm.  Here in our world full of sin and trouble, here where trials, persecution, and fiery darts fly, we can have perfect peace.

It is surely a wonder how God can keep such fallen creatures as ourselves “in perfect peace”.  What reason do we have to trust in God or to keep our minds focused on Him as our righteousness and strength?  This important question has been answered by God Himself.  Our Heavenly Father gave us a Savior.  God’s mercy is given to us through His Son even as we still remain in our fleshly apparel.  For this we praise Him as He pours out His grace on our souls.

In the fullness of time, our Lord and Savior Jesus, the promised seed of the woman, was born.  The ransom price was paid by His precious blood shed upon the Cross, and the Gates of Heaven were opened to all believers.  The Gospel was preached and the pardon proclaimed to every humble, penitent, believing soul.  “Whom having not seen, we love; and in whom, though now we see Him not, yet believing, we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1st Peter 1:8).  To all such believers who have cast their lives on the Son, the prophet proclaims peace:  “Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee” (Isaiah 26:3).

So what is the substance of true religion?  It is staying the mind upon God.  An unbelieving sinner cannot do this; but as believers, we may.  It is the privilege of every contrite soul, who has been broken in spirit by the sense of their own sinful nature to rest upon the mercies of God in Christ Jesus.  To stay our minds upon God is our strength and our peace.  This is a work of grace, mercy and love!  “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name” (Psalm 103:1).  True stability of heart can only be found in God.  Everything here in the world is fickle and changing.  But our God, Who gives peace to His people, changes not, nor knows the shadow of a turn (James 1:17).  The soul, therefore, that stays on Him finds rest and peace.

Never look for perfect peace in anyone or anything except He Who made Peace for you by the blood of His Cross.  The world may appear smiling and happy, but appearances are deceitful.  True peace descends from above.  It is the fruit of faith.  The Holy Spirit alone can produce the blessedness in the soul; and, therefore, none can possess it but the faithful in Christ Jesus.  The world can yield no solid peace to its most zealous followers.  Whatever I possess, without the presence of my Heavenly Father, is unsatisfying and unstable.  O my soul, seek a higher bliss than any that Earth can give!

Blessed Spirit of peace and love, place me on the Rock of Ages;

let me never, never stray from Thee.

Be the guide of my steps and the guardian of my days.

Give me Thy peace always by all means,

and make me a living temple consecrated wholly unto Thee.

—- Extracted from Spiritual Exercises of the Heart by Thomas Reade (1776-1841). 

YOU SERVE A JEALOUS GOD

YOU SERVE A JEALOUS GOD

“Take heed to yourself, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land

where you are going, lest it be a snare in your midst.”

(Exodus 34:12)

We have discussed this subject before, believers who dabble with the world, thinking they will not get burned will find that God is a jealous God who will not tolerate indiscretions.  Indiscretions are behaviors that lack good judgment.  God passionately loves His people (His children), He is zealous for them.  But our God is also a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24), divided loyalties will not be tolerated.  

Fear God and Keep His Commandments – this is the whole duty of man. “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

Divided Loyalties.  Your not being wholly ‘sold out’ to God means that you are spiritually playing the part of a harlot.  You want the blessings and protection and eternal life that God offers through Christ’s death on the Cross, but you also want what the world offers, so you ‘keep quiet’ when you see sin either at home, in the workplace, perhaps in church, etc.  Your refusal to confront sin could be represented as consent.  When we have divided loyalties, we anger the Most High.  “For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God” (Deuteronomy 4:24).  Fire represents His Holiness — which burns up all impurities, God will soon judge the world by fire.  

God is passionate about His People.  His Holiness demands holy living from us.  “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1st Peter 1:16).  As a consuming fire God purifies those whom He loves.  We do not want to be objects of His fury.  To those who are loyal to Him, He is loyal.  To those who are disloyal, they have angered the Most High.

1st Corinthians 10:22 “Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy?  Are we stronger than He?”  God tolerates no competition and will not allow idolatry to go unpunished.  The Word of God understands that idolatry extends beyond the worship of images and false gods.  It is a matter of the heart.  Idolatry is also associated with pride, self-centeredness, greed, gluttony, and love of possessions, all these things the world-lings hunger after.

By associating with the world, the things of the world, and the ‘friends’ of the world we risk God withdrawing His protection and His grace.  We certainly do not want to be in that position as the ‘times that try men’s souls’ are upon us.  God loves us and we should love Him in return.  “Little children, keep yourself from idols.  Amen!” (1st John 5:21).  Anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God.

Selah.

CONSCIENCE SEARED

CONSCIENCE SEARED

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times

some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits,

and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy

having their conscience seared with a hot iron.”

(1st Timothy 4:1-2)

We live in times of great deception and evil abounding.  Scripture tells us that in the ‘latter times’ people will depart from the faith having their conscience seared.  Romans 2:12 tells us that those who sin without the law will perish without the law; those sinning under the law shall be judged by the law.  God has given everyone a moral conscience.  A seared conscience means your sense of right and wrong has been ‘cauterized’ or rendered insensitive.  Someone with a seared conscience does not ‘feel’ someone else’s pain or emotion(s).  They have no empathy!  We have witnessed in the past this phenomenon of having a ‘conscience seared’ within individuals who are labeled sociopaths or psychopaths.  Imagine an entire world full of sociopaths and psychopaths.  Those who have given themselves wholly over to evil.    

The Apostle Paul is warning Timothy that this can also occur to a believer.  Some would argue perhaps that a True Believer could never have their conscience seared as they have been  sealed by the Holy Spirit.  But yet within the Body of Christ there are those who are walking the fence, and have been walking the fence for so long that they are in danger of falling.  Many false preachers and teachers have been raised up in the Last Days to ‘fleece’ the flock, they are from the ‘pits of hell’ (demonically controlled).  If you follow these false professors the result will be having your conscience seared.

The Great Apostasy will occur right before Christ returns.  Those who fall prey to the false teachers will abandon the Christian faith as it should be.  These nominal Christians will associate with those who truly believe the Gospel, those who follow Christ’s commands; but will defect after they fall prey to lies and deception.  Through listening to demonic spirits, false teachers have wandered away from the Truth and are teaching others the lies they have been told.  The most defining word of this ‘work’ of Satan and his demons is DECEPTION.  Doctrines of demons are not teachings about demons but rather false teachings originating from demons.  To sit under such teachings is to hear lies from the demonic realm.  This demonic influence will reach its peak during the Great Tribulation.  What we are seeing now is falsehood within the church building up towards that time.  False teachers ‘speaking lies in hypocrisy’ are propagating demonic doctrine.  They can do this because their conscience has been seared.

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are of God.”

(1st John 4:1)

Things to look for in false teachers:

1)  False teachers are men pleasers

2)  False teachers will try to discredit true men and women of God

3)  False teachers are driven by their own heads and hearts and this will be reflected in their sermons.  Very little scripture will be presented and expounded.

4)  False Teachers pass over the Law and the Gospel ‘adding to’ the Word of God.

5)  False Teachers will use clever language and appearances to disguise themselves.

6)  False Teachers strive to win over people to their opinions through winning debates.  They work not to change men’s hearts, but change men’s minds.

7)  A false teacher will make ‘merchandise’ of their followers.  

These are some of the things to look for in false preachers/teachers.  We are to shun (avoid) those who are unbiblical, who have made money their ‘god’ (their golden calf), their conscience seared, they will take you with them where you do not want to go.

Selah.

BE OF GOOD COURAGE

BE OF GOOD COURAGE

“Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart,

all you who hope in the LORD.”

(Psalm 31:24)

Right about now it would be nice to find an island full of peace and safety where we can wait out the arrival of our Yeshua, our Lord and King.  If we look out at what’s happening in the world, really stop to think about what is taking place, it is almost mind-boggling.  Much of what we see … the conflicts, the wars, the injustices, the threats are beyond man’s ability to solve.

Unfortunately, in addition to being witnesses to all the troubles coming upon the Earth, there has been an increase of personal attacks by the enemy against the saints of the Most High.  Persecution by governments, persecution by religious groups, and persecution closer to home.  Some attacks are financial, work-related, or attacks taking aim at your family.  Spiritual attacks.  Fiery darts aimed to destroy what is good, to steal your blessings, and, if possible, take you off the straight and narrow path.  These attacks may involve your spouse, your children, even brothers and sisters-in-Christ whom you love.  

Sometimes we feel that we are ‘alone’ in our troubles.  But dear saints, you are not, as this assault by the enemy is taking place right now against all True followers of Jesus Christ.  Satan wants you to become ineffective, he wants you to fail, he wants you to give up.  Hear wisdom from the psalmist and take heart:“Be of good courage!”

Proverbs 13:12 states, “Hope deferred makes a heart sick.”  Sometimes our own trials seem to drag on and on, we pray, but there is no relief.  We become frustrated, we may even develop an anxious spirit, in particular, when we see ‘troubles’ only increasing. Saints of the most High God are also weary watching as their brothers and sisters depart from the faith.  We pray, we warn, it seems our efforts are fruitless, we become discouraged.  Does God even hear us?

To have hope is to expect ‘good’ in spite of the obvious presence

of multiple obstacles that seem to stand in the way of a positive outcome.

Psalm 42:5, David provides us with wise counsel: “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?  Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.”  David’s advice is the difference between allowing your problems, difficulties and trials to have power over you or listening instead to solid Biblical counsel.  You can have joy in the midst of your difficulties.  Our real hope is anchored in the character and power of Almighty God.  It is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:17-18) and He does not change (Malachi 3:6 and Hebrews 13:8).  1st Corinthians 13:13 lists hope along with faith and love as three of the greatest Christian virtues we can have. 

“And now abides faith, hope and love …”

But note verse 12:  “For now we see through a glass darkly … “

We don’t see the entire picture, but God does.  If you are discouraged, lay hold of HOPE.  Hope will anchor you in the promises of God.  His promises are sure, steadfast, they will never fail.  Hope in God, brothers and sisters, be of good courage!  He will remove all your fears, all your frustrations, your despair.  Be of good courage!

“Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them:

for the LORD thy God, He it is that does go with thee;

He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Selah.

CONSIDERING THE POOR

CONSIDERING THE POOR

“Blessed is he that considers the poor; the LORD will deliver him

in time of trouble.  The LORD will preserve him and keep him alive,

and he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him

to the will of his enemies.  The LORD will strengthen him 

on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed.” (Psalm 41:1-3)

BLESSED IS HE THAT CONSIDERS THE POOR.  Hebrew is a picturesque language in that a word (one word) is considered in context with other words to give it a fuller and richer meaning.  Take the word ‘considers’ from the above scripture, in Hebrew it is translated as sakal.  Sakal means ‘to look at, to look at with the mind, to consider, to attend to.”  The definition continues figuratively: “To be or become intelligent, prudent, or wise, implying maturity of understanding or judgment.”  When we consider the poor, God wants us to spend quality time thinking about the situation and then with wisdom and maturity of judgment make your decision.

Growing up there was a ‘poor box’ in the back of our church.  As people would leave the service they would put coins into a little metal box mounted on the wall.  As a child, not yet in a position to earn any money, but in a position to get a small allowance.  I considered the poor.  When the collection plate was passed I would leave it to the adults to put in their envelopes or cash.  I saved my little bit of change for when I was leaving the church — to put it in the poor box.  

There are thousands of needs right now for the poor.  Each of us has opportunities to ‘consider’ the poor each week as we think about our giving back to God.  Sakal means that you have sought the Lord for His guidance (as He gives us wisdom) and you have intelligent knowledge pertaining to the need that you want to give to.  In other words, you have done your research!  Giving or sending money without knowing for sure that the money is going to be used for the purpose for which you have sent it — is foolish.

So what was David saying in this psalm?  He purposefully used the word ‘consider’.  He didn’t simply say ‘Bless the poor!”  Sakal (consider) means a great deal more.  David was saying (paraphrased) — Blessed is he who sees a need, and then looking at the complex situation surrounding it, thinks through how he could best, using his intelligence, wisely, bring about a successful solution to that need.  Sakal is not just seeing the problem.  It means seeing the problem (such as someone who is in need of help), taking stock of the situation, and then determining what you have to do to give that poor person what they need.  The goal is a successful solution. 

Yeshua is our example in Acts 10:38.  “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.”  God is with us.  When we ‘consider’ the poor because of the infilling of the Holy Ghost within us, we can prayerfully make intelligent and informed decisions.  

Selah.

THE ONE GOD USES

THE ONE GOD USES

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus

unto good works, which God hath before ordained

that we should walk in them.”

(Ephesians 2:10)

A Christian businessman once expressed this great and important truth.  He said:  “People are crying out to God to use them, but He cannot. They are not wholly given up to Him; they are not humble, teachable, or holy.  There are plenty of people who come to me and want to work in my store, but I cannot use them; they are not fit for the work.  When I must fill a position, I have to go and advertise, and then sometimes spend many days and hours trying to find someone.  I have to try them and prove them to know whether they will be suitable.”

God is looking for Christians willing to work in the Harvest Fields.  He is using everybody He can, using them to the fullest extent of their fitness for His service.  When we pray to be used by God we should search ourselves — are we usable?

God cannot and will not use just anyone who comes along any more than the Christian businessman would.  God is looking for those who are “sanctified, meet for the Master’s use, and prepared for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21).  

“Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal.

The Lord knows them that are His.  And, Let everyone that names

the name of Christ depart from iniquity.  But in a great house there are

not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth;

and some to honor, and some to dishonor.  If a man therefore purge himself

from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the

Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”

(2nd Timothy 2:19-21) 

God wants to use His children, and He is searching the Earth for those to use.  But as the scripture above is pointing out, first we need to purge ourselves of our iniquity and sin.  Like the businessman, God has set up His righteous standards.  The Word tells us that, “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him” (2nd Chronicles 16:9).  

Oh, how God wants to use you and me!   But before we ask Him to do so, we need to examine our hearts.  Is your heart ‘perfect’ towards Him?  If it is, then God will most certainly use you, showing Himself strong on your behalf.  Glory to His name!

Selah.

FORBEARANCE

FORBEARANCE

“Let your gentleness be known to all men.

The Lord is at hand.”

(Philippians 4:5)

Patience, self-control, restraint and tolerance are words that describe forbearance.  The New King James version calls forbearance ‘gentleness” – be gracious to all men.  Let the light of Christ shine through you.  The Lord is at hand!

When the above scripture was penned, the Apostle Paul may not have realized it, but he was writing a personal note to us (the Lord is truly at hand).  We are the believers privileged to be living in the days preceding the ‘soon coming’ Rapture of the Church; the ‘impending’ reveal of the Antichrist; both of which will happen right before the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Although these days should be days of great joy because of the nearness of the Rapture, actually what we are living through is ‘perilous’ times.  Right now could be described as the absolute worst time in human history for saints and sinners alike.

As Noah surely had to put up with scoffers and mockers while building the Ark, all the while remaining blameless in God’s eyes, we also have to be blameless exhibiting forbearance towards all men.  If we want to honor God we need to have forbearance!

Being gentle, gracious, possessing self-restraint and self-control is so important.  Time is so short, and when the Church is removed along with the removal of the Holy Spirit (He who restrains) we could say that right now we are looking at ‘dead men walking.’  Because with the Church taken off the Earth the countdown will begin for the Second Coming of Christ to appear “In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who know not God and who obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2nd Thessalonians 1:8).

We now live in the time when the ‘age of grace’ will shortly end.  A time when God has begun a ‘great shaking’ of the Earth.  A time of perplexity and unleashing of demonic powers.  If we enter into squabbles, fights and offenses, we will only make things much worse for ourselves and others during this awful time in human history.

If any human beings on the planet should be seen showing love and forbearance for one another and for the lost it should be the Children of God.  Over the past decade, we have witnessed the saints here in the United States failing the forbearance test.  They have lost their first love and with that mercy, compassion and forgiveness.  When evil rose up the saints sinned and in some cases are continuing to sin as they lash out with anger and hostility at the changes they see happening.  Changes that God is allowing for His purposes, for His glory, in preparation for Jesus’ Return as King of kings and Lord of lords.  The ‘dead men walking’ are not even being given an opportunity for salvation.  Where is the love of Christ that is supposed to be shed abroad from our hearts?  Leading someone to the Cross starts with forbearance.

Selah.

DIVIDED HEARTS

DIVIDED HEARTS

“And Elijah came to all the people, and said, 

‘How long will you falter between two opinions?

If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’

And the people answered him not a word.”

(1st Kings 18:21)

Silence speaks.  Have you ever confronted a young child or even an adult with something you know that they have done wrong and when you questioned them, they didn’t say a word.  Or, perhaps, you yourself may have stayed silent to signify your ‘agreement’ with something, or perhaps, to avoid an argument.  Some people will ‘plead the fifth’ so as not to incriminate themselves.  There are certain ‘situations’ where saying nothing ‘says a lot’.

Elijah, the man of God, a prophet of the Most High has received the Word of the Lord to convey to the people.   How long will you falter between two opinions?  If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.  Then came the silence … and the people answered him not a word.

A divided heart … you are not wholly following the Lord nor are you wholly following Satan (the ways of the world).  This divided heart has caused you to falter in your walk.  Faltering means you are losing strength [or momentum], you are no longer walking forward in the Spirit with surety of direction.  Not making a clear choice in whom you are serving, will cause you to lose spiritual strength.  Staggering, unable to catch your balance, you have become like a drunken man.  Your divided heart means you will never be able to accomplish anything of consequence for the Kingdom of God.

Throughout the history of Israel in the Old Testament we see this wavering.  The people continued to worship God, but they also served their idols.  Divided hearts — rejoicing that they were freed from Egypt while they gathered together to mold their golden calf.  Here is a lesson for us that has been repeatedly told by God throughout the Old Testament, put there, not for a history lesson, but as an example of spiritual adultery.  We can all falter, we can all become as drunkard men as we lust with our eyes, lust with our flesh.  We become weak, ineffective, easy targets for the enemy and his ‘dark’ children.     

Israel tried to syncretize (reconcile) the True God with pagan idols.  Our Lord and Savior and Soon Coming King warned us:  “No man can serve two masters – for he will hate the one and love the other” (Matthew 6:24).  Eventually your attempt to serve two masters will fail.  The master you ‘hate’ will always give you problems.  Your divided heart, your divided loyalties, will never bring you ‘peace of mind’ or ‘peace with your Maker.’  “Choose you this day whom ye will serve … but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

Selah.

WHAT IF NO ONE SAID “NO”?

WHAT IF NO ONE SAID “NO”?

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them

when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, 

when you lie down, and when you rise up.”

(Deuteronomy 6:6-7)

What if growing up no one said “No” to you, no one corrected you when you were wrong, no one tried to stop you from walking down the wrong path.  You were on your own to discover what you could and could not do.  What brought you happiness and what did not.  No one told you or warned you of the dangers the world holds.  No one taught you good morals, good manners or respect for others.  There was no godly advice.  What kind of person would you be right now?  

For years modern education has neglected to teach young minds to look for and be able to anticipate cause and effect relationships.  In other words, actions have consequences.  All values and moral judgments have been eliminated from school curricula and classroom discussions.  We now have ‘valueless’ teachings and what is called ‘moral equivalency’ which means that no idea, no person, no belief, no religion, no government, or no ‘fact’ is better than anything else — everything has its own intrinsic value, neither more nor less than any other thing has.  For those of us who are older and were taught differently this sounds strange, and it is, as well as originating from evil sources.  What has happened to the youth in our nation (and around the world) is nothing short of brain-washing!  

The New World Order’s goal is Liberal Intellectual Humanism.  Liberal humanism proposes that people should be free, unconstrained, allowed to make their own choices and to give meaning to those choices, in other words, people can create their own ‘lifestyle’ their own ‘history.’  That all people should be guaranteed their freedom of choice(s) and not be penalized.  This sounds ‘great’ to the children who live in darkness.  As Satan appears as an angel of light, so too his demonic plans for humanity will only lead to anarchy which is precisely what the NWO wants.  When society goes out of control (with no rules/regulations/morals/values) governments around the world will be forced to take military action ‘removing all freedom’ and ultimately everyone will be enslaved to serve the power elite.  If the Lord tarries.

All of this is occurring because God’s Commandments along with His laws and statues have been ridiculed and ignored.  Man’s refusal to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, their refusal to live under the laws God has set up for their good, and their unwillingness to repent has led to where we are now.

Because no one is saying ‘No’ and everyone is now doing whatever they can to ‘get ahead’ we can no longer trust anyone not to be ‘lying’ to our face.  Theft is everywhere!  Stores in major cities are closing because thieves are stealing so much merchandise.  Fraud is everywhere.  Illicit drugs are destroying lives.  Since there is no regard for the unborn, life has no value, murder is a common occurrence in every city in the United States.  

God once cried out to ancient Israel “Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and their children forever.”  (Deuteronomy 5:29)  The answer is simple.  Keep God’s commandments!  Children of God must take a stand and say ‘No’ when we see sin rise up.  Teach your children about God, about Jesus, and tell them about Heaven and Hell. 

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments:

and His commandments are not grievous.”

(1st John 5:3)

Selah.